The Indiana Fever walked away with a hard-fought 85-77 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday (July 15) night, but the final minute cast a dark cloud over what should have been a triumphant moment. With just 39 seconds remaining, Caitlin Clark appeared to suffer a groin injury and was visibly emotional as she exited the floor.
How Serious Is Caitlin Clark’s Latest Injury Setback?
With around 40 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Clark had just dished an assist to Kelsey Mitchell when she began to wince and grab the top of her right leg. As she turned to get back on defense, Clark reached toward her groin and signaled discomfort.
A timeout was immediately called. What followed was more than concern for her health. It was a rare, raw glimpse of the toll the 2024-25 season has taken on one of basketball’s brightest stars.
Great angle here from Erik Dobratz of Caitlin Clark’s anguish after an apparent injury. Coach Steph White told @chloepeterson67 that Clark, “felt a little something in her groin”. Clark’s being evaluated.
h/t @Erikd25 of our sister station, WTNH. pic.twitter.com/MAzTH90mDq
— Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) July 16, 2025
Clark gingerly walked over to the stanchion at TD Garden, leaned her forehead against it, and stood still. Moments later, she returned to the Fever bench, where cameras caught her on the verge of tears. She placed a towel over her head and sat motionless as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
An emotional Caitlin https://t.co/MXXS261kRT pic.twitter.com/iwSdvvtjND
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) July 16, 2025
Clark’s stat line of 14 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists on 4-of-14 shooting doesn’t fully reflect her late-game impact. She scored nine straight points late in the game to put the contest out of reach for the Sun. However, her heroic push may have come at a cost.
It’s still too early to determine the severity of Clark’s apparent injury, but the scene and her emotional response were enough to raise alarm across the WNBA world. Fever head coach Stephanie White said postgame that Clark “felt a little something in her groin.”
Steph White said Caitlin Clark “felt a little something in her groin” at the end of the game, which caused her to come out with 30 seconds left.
She’s being evaluated now. More: pic.twitter.com/s3OuuqT5EK
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) July 16, 2025
That groin area has been a problem for Clark already since the 2025 campaign started, though earlier it was her left side that caused issues. She also missed time due to a left quad injury, combining for 10 absences this season.
What Does This Mean for Clark’s All-Star Weekend Plans?
Tuesday’s episode involved her right groin, which introduces new uncertainty just days before the All-Star festivities in Indianapolis. Clark had been officially announced to participate in Friday’s 3-point contest and to captain one of the two All-Star teams. As of now, both appearances are in jeopardy.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Clark is already navigating through what’s likely the most difficult stretch of her basketball career. After playing every game (139) during her four years at Iowa, where she shattered scoring records and became a national icon, the pro transition has tested her in new ways. She played all 40 games in 2024-25 en route to winning WNBA Rookie of the Year. But in 2025, nothing came easy.
Her recent shooting slump of six consecutive games under 35% from the field has coincided with increased defensive attention, physical play, and the pressure of carrying an entire franchise’s momentum. Despite the setbacks, Clark continues to show up. Tuesday night, she gave everything she had, including a string of clutch baskets late.
But when her body gave out, it was her emotions that told the real story. For a player who rarely shows weakness on the court, the image of Clark fighting back tears on the bench may linger long after the result itself.
